"You know what to do, right? Just scam them and secure their wealth. This will be your biggest deal yet. I'm so proud of you," said the man known as Father, his smile a twisted semblance of warmth. He recruited children to settle their parents' debts, a cruel trade that left Ivy shackled to his schemes. Her parents owed him a substantial sum, and now she was finally stepping away from his life. But why did relief elude her?
Ivy had always dreamed of marrying a man she loved, someone who would sweep her off her feet and build a life of happiness with her. But reality had a way of crushing dreams. The only person who showed interest in her was the president. Their paths crossed in a hotel when he was on the brink of death, choking on a piece of ice. Ivy's quick thinking saved him, and from that moment, he was smitten. He called her incessantly, checking in, and they started seeing each other regularly. Eventually, he proposed, going so far as to divorce his wife to be with her.
Despite the fairy tale turn of events, Ivy's heart was heavy with sadness. She didn't love him; her feelings for him were entangled with desperation. She needed his power and influence to escape her predicament.
"This would be my last job, right?" Ivy asked, her voice trembling slightly as she addressed Father. His response was a sinister chuckle.
"What do you think?" he replied, his grin widening in a way that sent chills down her spine. "You can never be free from me. Remember, I bought you. You'll be mine forever. Did you think marrying the president would save you? It can't. You'll always be mine. Never forget that."
His words ignited a fiery anger within Ivy. Her eyes blazed with unrestrained fury, a stark contrast to the despondency that usually clouded them. As the crew reveled in their victory, toasting to their success, Ivy slipped away. She headed straight to her car, a sleek SUV Benz gifted by the president.
"I hate everything. It's all a mess. Even marrying Mr. President won't free me from him. Damn it!" Ivy screamed, slamming her fists against the steering wheel, tears cascading down her cheeks. The frustration and helplessness were overwhelming.
"Don't cry. Let's go have some fun. I'll make sure that Mr. President saves me. He will surely save me from him," she whispered to herself, trying to find solace in her own words. She started the car and drove off into the night, the road ahead uncertain and filled with fear.
The city lights blurred through her tear-filled eyes as she drove aimlessly. The weight of her double life bore down on her. She longed for a sense of freedom and happiness, but each turn she took seemed to lead her deeper into despair. Could she ever escape the clutches of the man who claimed ownership of her very soul? The question haunted her as she sped down the empty streets, the silence of the night amplifying her inner turmoil.
---
PRESIDENT VILLA
"The president is arriving!" a voice announced, clearing the path as the president entered his opulent office. His son, Leo, followed closely behind, his expression tense.
"What is it, Leo?" the president inquired, not looking up from his documents. Leo knelt before him, desperation evident in his eyes.
"Father, please reconsider. Don't go through with this," Leo implored calmly, his voice trembling with the weight of his plea.
"What do you mean? How dare you question me?" his father roared, his face contorting with fury as he struck Leo across the face.
"Know your place and leave. I'm marrying her, and that's final," the president declared, his tone cold and dismissive. Leo's face burned with humiliation and anger as he rose to his feet.
Leo stormed out of the room, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. As he left the house, he got into his car, driving recklessly through the city streets. His thoughts were so consumed with rage and frustration that he didn't notice the traffic light turning red.
Distracted, he collided with another car.
"Oh my goodness!" Ivy gasped, her heart pounding as she stepped out of her car to assess the damage. The front end of her vehicle was crumpled, and steam billowed from the engine.
"You idiot, get out here!" Ivy yelled, her voice shaking with a mix of fear and anger. Leo complied, stepping out of his car, his own expression grim.
"Let's settle this quickly. Just pay for the damages to my car," Ivy demanded angrily, her hands trembling.
"I will pay. Give me your account details," Leo replied calmly, trying to avoid further confrontation. Ivy provided her account number, and Leo promptly transferred the money, his fingers moving swiftly over his phone screen.
"Make sure you're more careful next time, you fool," Ivy scolded, her eyes flashing with indignation before she got back into her car and drove away.
Leo stood there for a moment, staring at the retreating car. "What was that? Did she just call me a fool?" he fumed, his anger reigniting. Without thinking, he got back into his car and started following Ivy, his grip on the steering wheel tight.
As he trailed behind her, his thoughts raced. Who was this woman who dared to speak to him like that? And why did her defiance stir something within him that he couldn't quite place? He watched as she navigated through the city streets with a confidence that only fueled his curiosity and irritation.
Ivy, unaware of the car following her, tried to steady her breathing. The encounter had left her rattled. She didn't have time for another problem in her already chaotic life. She needed to focus on finding a way out of her entanglements and securing her future.
Leo's determination grew as he continued to follow her, his mind set on confronting this mysterious woman who had dared to stand up to him.